Nalco Water
About the company
Nalco Water, a division of Ecolab, offers innovative solutions for water purification and water management, process improvement and contaminant control, optimizing product quality and operating costs for customers while reducing their environmental impact.
We help our clients reduce their consumption of energy, water and other natural resources, improve air quality, minimize environmental emissions and increase productivity and end products, while increasing profits.
History of Nalco Water
Nalco Water was founded as National Aluminate Corporation in 1928 through the merger of Chicago Chemical Company and Aluminate Sales Corporation, two Chicago-based companies selling sodium aluminate for water treatment. Chicago Chemical Company mainly sold to municipalities and industrial enterprises for treating boiler feed water. Aluminate Sales Corporation sold to railroads for conditioning water used in steam locomotives.
In 1929, National Aluminate established a small company in Texas called Visco Products Company to also sell sodium aluminate as an additive for drilling mud used in oil wells. This helped Nalco establish a presence in the oil industry. The replacement of steam locomotives with diesel engines eliminated nearly half of Nalco’s business in the United States. This became a turning point for the company as it recognized the need to diversify. Fuel treatment and combustion catalysts, along with herbicide chemicals for railroads, created opportunities for Nalco in large industrial markets.
In 1959, the company’s name was officially changed to Nalco Chemical Company to reflect the expansion of its activities. During its research and development efforts, Nalco made a significant shift from inorganic to organic chemistry and became a pioneer in developing important synthetic polymers for water treatment.
Responding to consumer needs during the energy crisis of the 1970s, Nalco’s 50 years of experience in water treatment and oil technologies, combined with continuous aggressive international expansion, helped the company maintain significant growth.
A new technical center in Naperville, Illinois, was opened in 1979, equipped with advanced process simulation equipment that allowed researchers, for the first time in the industry, to test product performance under actual plant operating conditions. In 1986, a 300,000-square-foot complex was built next to the technical center, and Nalco moved its corporate headquarters to Naperville.
The 1980s and 1990s saw increased attention to environmental issues. Leading the market, Nalco introduced an innovative alternative to barrels in 1984 — the advanced PORTA-FEED® chemical handling system, consisting of stainless steel modules of various sizes that can be fully drained, stacked, and easily reused. Technological innovations also drove Nalco to develop sophisticated diagnostic, control, and monitoring systems that provide additional services to customers. The company’s history of award-winning technologies includes major achievements in many key areas. In 1999, Nalco’s ULTIMER® polymer technology received the U.S. President’s Green Chemistry Challenge Award. The Green Chemistry program recognizes and promotes the development of innovative chemical technologies that prevent pollution and have broad industrial applications.
The 1990s were marked by global market consolidation as major industries worldwide addressed core competencies and competitiveness. More than two dozen companies were acquired and integrated into Nalco during the decade, culminating in Nalco itself being acquired in 1999 by Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux, a global leader in infrastructure services. Suez combined Nalco with Calgon Corporation and Aquazur — leading global water treatment and chemical technology companies. In March 2001, the company was renamed Ondeo Nalco Company as part of a rebranding of Suez’s water division.
Two years later, a consortium of three American investment firms purchased Nalco from Suez and renamed the company again. In November 2004, the new holding company, Nalco Holding Company, resumed trading on the New York Stock Exchange through an initial public offering. Significant sales growth allowed Nalco’s sales to surpass $3 billion for the first time that year. The investor group conducted a series of secondary stock offerings from 2005 to early 2007, through which they completely divested their ownership in the company.
In 2011, Nalco merged with Ecolab.
Nalco Water is a global leader in water treatment and water management
Nalco Water is an international company specializing in comprehensive solutions for the purification, treatment and management of water resources in industry, utilities and energy.
The company is part of the global Ecolab corporation and offers innovative technologies and products that help ensure efficient water use with minimal environmental impact.
Nalco Water develops water purification, corrosion control, scale control and microbiological contamination control systems used in various industries, from the oil and gas industry to the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The company's products include a wide range of chemical reagents, water disinfection products, filtration systems, as well as tools for monitoring and controlling water quality.
Nalco Water offers intelligent solutions that combine chemistry, technology and data analytics to optimize treatment processes and reduce operating costs.
The company's specialized products provide effective protection of equipment against corrosion, scale and biofilm buildup, which significantly increases the productivity and safety of production processes.
Nalco Water applies innovative approaches to combating microorganisms, providing reliable control of pathogen levels in process and drinking waters.
The products meet international standards of quality, safety and environmental friendliness, including ISO certifications and compliance with FDA regulations, which is critically important for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The company is actively implementing digital technologies for remote monitoring of the condition of water systems, allowing customers to receive timely data and make optimal management decisions.
Nalco Water provides an individual approach to each client, offering comprehensive solutions adapted to the specifics of production and safety requirements.
Among the main areas of work are wastewater treatment, water reuse, and reduction of water and energy consumption, which supports the concept of sustainable development.
The company provides a wide range of services, including water system audits, management program development, staff training, and technical support.
Nalco Water products are used in the energy, chemical, paper, metallurgical, and municipal sectors for drinking water purification.
The application of the company's solutions helps increase the efficiency of production processes, reduce environmental impact, and ensure compliance with safety standards.
Nalco Water combines cutting-edge technology, deep expertise, and environmental responsibility, making the company a trusted partner in water management worldwide.